Apple is first technology company to join Fair Labor Association

The Fair Labor Association announced on Friday that Apple is now a participating member, making it the first technology company to earn that distinction.

By joining the FLA, Apple agrees to have the association independently assess facilities in its supply chain and report detailed findings on the association's website. Apple also agrees to uphold the FLA Workplace Code of Conduct throughout its supply chains, and commit to the association's Principles of Fair Labor and Responsible Sourcing.

"We found that Apple takes supplier responsibility seriously and we look forward to their participation in the Fair Labor Association," Auret van Heerden, FLA's President and CEO, said in a press release. "We welcome Apple's commitment to greater transparency and independent oversight, and we hope its participation will set a new standard for the electronics industry."

The announcement comes the same day that Apple released its annual supplier responsibility report. The 2012 edition is Apple's most extensive yet, with 229 total audits conducted, and found that underage labor was significantly reduced last year among the company's suppliers, with no evidence of intentional underage labor.

"We're extremely proud to be the first technology company admitted to the FLA," said Jeff Williams, Apple's senior vice president of Operations. "Last year we performed more than 200 audits at our supplier's facilities around the world. With the benefit of the FLA's experience and expertise, we will continue to drive improvements for workers and provide even greater transparency into our supply chain."

Steve was all about making the best possible products, but Tim is unfocused: he wants to make a better world too. So far he has instituted charitable gift matching, turned the Apple Store logos red in the name of AIDS, and now is trying to improve labor conditions in the 3rd world.

Steve was all about making the best possible products, but Tim is unfocused: he wants to make a better world too. So far he has instituted charitable gift matching, turned the Apple Store logos red in the name of AIDS, and now is trying to improve labor conditions in the 3rd world.

Steve was all about making the best possible products, but Tim is unfocused: he wants to make a better world too. So far he has instituted charitable gift matching, turned the Apple Store logos red in the name of AIDS, and now is trying to improve labor conditions in the 3rd world.

Apple has long advocated for making a better world. Tim is just expanding its scope.

There is a current 'This American Life' Podcast about a guy who goes to the factories where his beloved Apple products are being made, and talking to the 13 year old girl who polishes the iPhone screens before they're boxed.

Worth a listen. I'm really glad Apple is doing this - but I think they could a lot more to influence the suppliers (as could Dell, Samsung, Sony, Nokia, HP and all the others).

They had to join because they outsource their product manufacturing to fishy companies like Foxconn.

If they had made their own factories ( in the US) they would've have had to join this organization.

This is just a PR stunt to move to distance themselves from the recent events.

Recent events like workers who put together xbox's going on strike/rioting? Funny how apple do the right thing, something that no other tech company has done, and people like you still stick the boot in.